Green apple or red apple is good

Green Apple vs Red Apple – Is One Healthier Than the Other?

Eating a good diet is one of the most crucial components of health.

Getting the basics down is often good enough—eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, getting enough protein, and avoiding processed foods and sugar.

However, nutrition can go much deeper than this. Those of us who care a lot about our health may be wondering: Is there a health difference in green apples versus red apples?

Let’s weigh the evidence…

Green Versus Red Apples: A Close Look at the Facts

Apples: One of the Most Popular Fruits

Apples grow on trees of the Malus pumila species.

This species is closely related to crabapples (Surprise!). It is a cousin of over fruit-bearing trees, including apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums. Malus pumila is also a distant relative of roses, hops, and the elm tree.

According to Insider Monkey, a 2015 study found that the apple is the second most consumed fruit in the United States, after the banana.(1)

Despite the apple’s popularity within the U.S., Americans actually do not consume very many apples on a global scale.

Instead, Austria is the #1 consumer of apples per capita each year, as cited by StatsMonkey.(2) The average Austrian consumes an apple nearly every day, which is more than three times what the average American eats.

As such, the United States lags behind at #35 in the list of the most voracious apple-consuming countries.

Apple Varieties

According to the nonfiction publisher Weldon Owen, there are about 7,000 cultivars of apple in existence.(3)

You will not come across most of these within your lifetime!

There are a relatively small handful of apple varietals that are popular in Western grocery stores.

Of course, the Red Delicious is the quintessential red apple. Some other popular red apples are the Fuji, Gala, and Jonathan types.

Most green apples you are likely to encounter are of the Granny Smith variety, though you may also have enjoyed a Ginger Gold before.

Apples come in many colors: Red, green, yellow, or a mottled combination. Nevertheless, red and green apples are arguably the two most common types of apple.

Red and green are very different colors; does this hint at a difference in healthiness as well?

Green Versus Red: Which Has More Fiber?

The United States Department of Agriculture offers the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.

This resource provides detailed nutritional information on a huge number of foods, going deeper than what is displayed on a product’s nutrition facts label.

According to the information provided by the USDA, Granny Smith apples have 22% more fiber than Red Delicious apples, along with a bit less sugar.(4)

So what does this mean for blood sugar?

Registered dietician Meri Raffetto says that fiber helps control the rise in blood sugar that occurs after eating.(5) This is because the more fiber is in your food, the more slowly it is digested.

Eating more fiber helps keep your blood sugar levels stable. This is crucial for people who suffer from type 2 diabetes.

Raffetto notes that in some cases, a high-fiber diet is enough for a diabetic person to gain control over his or her blood sugar.

However, the benefits of fiber for your blood sugar are of interest to everyone, even if you don’t have diabetes. It helps prevent development of type 2 diabetes in the future.

Even in healthy people, a large blood sugar spike after a meal can cause unpleasant side effects like lethargy, and eating more fiber helps prevent this.

Mayo Clinic says that some other health benefits of eating more fiber include:(6)

• Lowered cholesterol levels.
• Prevention of hemorrhoids.
• Staying fuller longer after eating.

Plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are where we get our dietary fiber.

Adding an apple to each meal is a great way to get more fiber, especially since apples are delicious, convenient, and don’t require any preparation.

If you opt for a Granny Smith apple rather than another cultivar, you will enjoy even more health benefits.

Is There a Difference in Nutrients?

Though most people would not suspect this to be the case, green apples are actually more nutritious than red apples in many respects.

The macronutrient balance of a green apple is healthier than a red apple.

Green apples offer 63% more protein than red apples; if you eat an apple every day, in one year you will have racked up 160 grams of extra protein by switching to green apples.

Green apples also have less sugar than red apples, which makes sense considering their taste is more tart and less sweet. Excess sugar intake has a huge range of health effects.

Although the sugar in red apples is not unhealthy in and of itself, if you are trying to reduce your overall sugar intake it can help to switch to green apples, especially if you eat this fruit regularly.

Kris Gunnars at Healthline tells us about the dangers of eating too much sugar.(7) Sugar increases the rate of tooth decay, as it feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth.

Excess consumption of sugar is the basic cause of insulin resistance, which can lead to dangerous health problems like type 2 diabetes.

When it comes to your cholesterol levels and heart disease risk, forget saturated fat—the evidence points toward excess sugar as the real culprit.

Some scientists even believe that the elevated insulin levels caused by excess sugar intake can even increase cancer risk.

Again, if you eat an overall healthy diet that limits sugar, eating red apples in place of green apples won’t harm you.

But, if you’re trying to reduce sugar intake, switching to green apples is one of many “baby steps” that you can take to achieve this goal.

In addition to offering a better protein and sugar content, green apples are higher in many micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) than red apples are.

Micronutrients are very important to the proper functioning of the human body, and a deficiency in any given nutrient can cause real health problems.

Compared to a Red Delicious, a Granny Smith apple provides more:

• Iron
• Niacin
• Potassium
• Thiamin
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin K

Why Eat Apples?

Apples are a very everyday fruit, yet they hold powerful benefits that many of us do not even know about.

Though we have established that green apples are more nutritious than red apples, why eat apples in the first place?

Scientific paper authors Jeanelle Boyer and Rui Hai Liu describe how apples are a rich source of phytochemicals, or plant chemicals that offer health benefits.(8)

Apples contain many potent antioxidants, including quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid. Antioxidants help prevent damage to your body’s cells, slowing down aging and preventing many health problems.

If you want to get the health benefits of apple antioxidants, whole apples are the most appropriate way to eat them, as processed apple foods like apple juice and apple sauce will have a compromised antioxidant content.

And although green apples have a better nutritional profile, if the antioxidants are more important to you, pick red apples instead.

According to the American Chemical Society, red apples (and Red Delicious in particular) pack the biggest punch when it comes to antioxidants.(9)

Many clinical studies have documented the health benefits of eating apples. According to Joseph Nordqvist of the publication Medical News Today, apples may help the brain produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.(10)

This can result in improved memory. In research, apples seem to have a neuroprotective effect. Regular apple consumption can help reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in older adults.

Apples reduce the risk of stroke. This is demonstrated by a study involving over 9,000 people, which found that those who ate the most apples over a 28-year period enjoyed the lowest stroke risk.(11)

In 2014, researchers investigated the effects of various apple cultivars on the gut bacteria of mice.(12) It was discovered that Granny Smith apples offer the biggest benefits for gut health.

The researchers suggest that this effect may in turn help to prevent and treat obesity.

Malic acid, one of the primary acids found in apples, has distinct benefits for health. Studies have shown that malic acid can decrease fibromyalgia and increase energy.(13,14,15)

Eating plenty of apples can also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, improve lung health, and decrease asthma.

In Short

Green and red apples have distinct nutrient and chemical profiles.

Does this mean one is healthier than the other?

Green apples are more nutritious in many different ways. However, Red Delicious apples will provide more antioxidants.

So, the question of which variety of apple is best for your health depends on your individual goals.

Most people will benefit greatly from the extra fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in a Granny Smith.

If you already eat a high-fiber, nutritious diet, the antioxidants in red apples may benefit you more.

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Is There A Nutritional Difference Between Red And Green Apples?

Associate Editor — Food, HuffPost Australia

Much like the «rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher» debate, the question of «red apples vs green» divides many. Those on the green apple train love the crispy tartness and thicker skin. While red apple fans appreciate the sweetness and juiciness.

But from a nutritional perspective, is there a difference between red and green apples?

The answer is yes, a little.

First, let’s take a look at why these little fruits are so nutritious and worth eating.

«Apples are rich in antioxidants, pectin, quercetin and flavonoids to protect our cells from oxidative damage,» nutritionist Fiona Tuck told HuffPost Australia. «They are particularly good for heart, bowel and liver health and make an easy to carry, tasty snack.

«Apples are high in fibre (which is good for our gut health) and also a soluble fibre called pectin, which is good for heart health as it helps to lower LDL (the bad) cholesterol.»

Fruit provides fibre which is essential for heart, gut, liver, hormone and heart health, and contains a variety of important vitamins and minerals that are essential for health and wellbeing.

The apple’s assortment of antioxidants and flavonoids such as quercetin help to support healthy ageing and may help to protect cells from damage and disease.

«They’re also a source of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron and zinc. Apples also contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, folate and niacin,» Tuck said.

«A medium-sized apple contains approximately 25 grams of carbs, the majority of the carbohydrate content coming from fructose, a naturally occurring fruit sugar.»

As for which variety is «healthier», each has their own nutritional benefits. For those being careful of their carb and sugar intake, green apples come out on top. But the difference isn’t huge.

«The health benefit differences are negligible. However, green apples may contain slightly more fibre and less carbohydrates and sugar than red apples,» Tuck said.

If antioxidants are your focus, then red apples win. Again, the difference is small.

«Red apples contain higher amounts of anthocyanins which are found in the red skin, which offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.»

Obviously, more important than the red versus green apple debate, or any slight nutritional difference between the two apple varieties, is that we actually eat them — along with an array of other delicious fruits and veggies.

«Fruit provides fibre which is essential for heart, gut, liver, hormone and heart health, and contains a variety of important vitamins and minerals that are essential for health and wellbeing,» Tuck told HuffPost Australia.

«Aim for a couple of pieces of fruit a day and approximately 6–7 servings of vegetables. Include different fruits and vegetables in the diet daily to ensure a variety of different nutrients.

«Apples do tend to be one of the most highly sprayed fruits (pesticides), so wash thoroughly before eating or, if possible, choose to eat organic apples.»

If you’re bored of eating plain apples, transform them using these delicious tricks.

«Take the core out of a whole apple, stuff with a mixture of dried fruits (such as prunes, sultanas, cranberries), cinnamon and chopped walnuts and bake in the oven. Top with natural yoghurt for a delicious healthy dessert or breakfast,» Tuck said.

«You can also cut an apple into slices and spread with nut butter for a tasty snack. Or stew apples with a little honey and cinnamon, and add to porridge for a heart healthy breakfast.»

Click below to subscribe to the Refresh podcast by HuffPost Australia on iTunes.

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Red vs. Green apple: Which one is healthier?

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on -Nov 27, 2020, 09:00 IST Share fbsharetwsharepinshare Comments ( 0 )

01 /5 Red vs green apple

«An apple a day keeps the doctor away» — we all have heard this age-old adage. But the question is which apple is the best- red or green?

Their skin colour is not the only thing, which makes these two apples different from each other. They both taste different, are packed with different nutrients and have different nutritional benefits. So it is natural to be curious about which one is better. In this article, we have compared the two types of apple and have tried to find out which one is better?

02 /5 ​The taste and appearance

Green apples are sour in taste and have thick skin, which make them crispier. Red apples, on the other hand are sweet, juicy and have thin skin. It is due to their sweetness, people prefer red apples over green ones.

03 /5 ​The nutritional benefits of apples

Both types of apple are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals. They are rich in antioxidants, pectin, quercetin and flavonoids. They protect cells from oxidative damage, reduce the risk of developing chronic heart and liver diseases. Apples are low in fiber and calories, which makes them an excellent weight-loss-friendly fruit.

04 /5 ​The difference in their nutritional content

There are minute differences in the nutritional content between both types of apples. Green apple is a better source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K as compared to its counterpart. Moreover, it contains more iron, potassium and protein than the red apple. As per some studies, green apples can be better for people trying to shed kilos. If you are trying to reduce your overall sugar intake then it is better to switch to green apples. Red apples, on the other hand, contain more antioxidants and are more delicious.

05 /5 ​Red vs Green apple

There are indeed some nutritional differences between red and green apples, but the health difference is negligible. If we look into their nutritional value then green apples are healthier than the red apple. But if you want to increase the intake of antioxidants then include red apples in your diet. The ideal choice would be to have both types of apples.

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